Tampon applicator



Aug. 27, 1963 D. o. sARGENT TAMPON APPLICATOR Filed Feb. 25. 1961 kill?! 11111 u n ull n l INVENTOR Ax//o 0- ,LTA/@55AM BY 4" d ATTORNEYUnitedStates Patent O 3,101,713 TAMPN APPLICATR David 0. Sargent,Westfield, NJ., assignor, b'y mesne assignments, to Johnson Sz Johnson,New Brunswick, NJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 23, 1961,Sen'No. 91,050 11 Claims. (Cl. 12S-263) 'Ihis invention relates tocatamenial devices and more particularly to applicators of improvedconstruction and of reduced length for inserting tampons into theVagina.

One form of applicator for tampons which has receiVed wide acceptanceincludes a pair of telescoped tubes of cardboard or similar materialwith the inner tube longitudinally movable within the outer tube. U'Iheapplicator and a tampon of compressed absorbentliibrous material arepre-assembled as a unit to provide a complete article ready for use. Thetampon is positioned within one end portion of the outer tube and theinner tube telescopically positioned inthe other end lwith a majorportion of its length extending beyond the end of the outer ltube. Toeject the tampon, the inner tube, which acts as a plunger, is movedlongitudinally in the outer tube in the direction of the tampon.

Such tampon applicators, while acceptablek and satisfactory inoperation, are considerably longer than the tampon with which they areused. `For example, in a tampon applicator of the above type the outerand inner tubes are each about three inches long, while the tampon isabout two inches long. Therefore, the tampon occupies a major portion ofthe outer tube within which it is positioned, and the telescoped innertube extends tor more than yone half its length beyond the end of theouter tube, thereby making the over-all length of the assembled tamponand applicator more than yone and one half times the length of eithertube, and about two and one `half times the length of the tampon. l

It is customary to package each of such assembled applicators andtampons individually and then package a number lof them together, e.g.ten, toprovide a sufficient number of tampons vfor a single menstrualperiod. Consequently, the individual packages and the combined packagesare quite large in, comparison to the size of the tampons which are t beultimately used. By reducing the over-al1 length of assembledapplicators and tampons, the size of the packages used to `contain themmay also be reduced and substantial savings in costs of packaging, Iofpackaging materials and of storagespace can be eftected.

It would also be desirable to reduce the over-all length of assembledapplicators and tampons because it is customary for one or more lof suchassembled units to be carried on the perso-n, as for yexample in apurse, during the menstrual period. A package of smaller size would notonly be more aesthetic and less noticeable lbut would also permit agreater number to be carried.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tamponapplicator of reduced size which may be furnished assembled with atampon to provide a complete article ready for use. The over-all lengthof the assembled applicator and tampon is about the lengthy of the outertube with a portion `of the inner tube extending just beyond the end ofthe outer tube to provide a lingergripping portion. The applicator iseconomical to construct and package and is simple and eicient inoperation.-

A tampon applicator which achieves such objects includes an inner tubetelescopically positioned within the outer tube and longitudinallymovable therein. The inner tube, which acts as a tampon-ejecting plungerand which is about the same length as the outer tube, is fittedsubstantially entirely within the outer tube in its assem-` bled,prior-to-use position. When the applicator is asarenile Patented Aug.27, 1963 sembled with a tampon to provide a complete package ready foruse, the forward end portion of the inner tube is positioned between thetampon and the inner wall of the Outer tube; in eliect, the tampon isheld within the forward end portion of the inner tube.

When the inner tube is moved longitudinally outwardly from the outertube in a direction away from the tampon, the forward end portion of theinner tube positioned between the tampon and the inner wall of the outertube is withdrawn from such position. When the end of the inner tube hascleared the inner end ofthe tampon, the tampon is transferred totheouter tube, and the inner tube may then be moved longitudinally into theouter tube towards the tampon. During such movement, the front end ofthe inner tube engages the inner end of the tampon, causing the tamponto be ejected trom Within v the -outer tube.

v tampon from the outer tube simultaneously with retraction of the innertube. In addition, the invention includes devices for holding the innerand outer tubes in aligned relation during longitudinal movement 'of theinner tube in the outer tube to insure `direct application of theejecting forces applied to the tampon when the inner tube is movedlongitudinally into the outer tube.

Referring to the drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment ot" theinvention is illustrated by way of example: v

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of an applicator incorporating .theinvention, and containing a tampon to provide a complete article readyfor use;

FIG. 2 is a view of the applicator -with the inner tube moved outwardlyfrom Within the outer tube and illus- -trating the position of the innertube yprior to moving it into the outer tube to eject the tampon;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the parts of the appli. cator, cut away inpart to reveal its inner construction, an-d with the tampon removed;

IFIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 1, taken along lines 4-4, illustrating thetampon held within the forward end portion of the inner tube;

FIG. 5 is a View of FIG. l, taken along lines 5-5';

FIG. 6 is a View similar to FIG. 5, illustrating withdrawal of the"inner tube from Within the outer tube and the transfer of the tamponfrom within the forward end portion of the inner tube to the forward endportion'of the outer tube;

FIG. 7 is a View of FIG. 4, taken along lines 77;

FIG. 8 is a view of FIG.` 4, taken along lines 8--S;

FIG. 9 is a view of FIG. 6, taken along lines 9 9; and

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating ejection of the tampon from theapplicator.

In thel embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, theapplicator 10` includes an inner tube 12 and anouter tube 14 arranged intelescopic relationship and in this respect has the general appearanceof conventional cardboard tube applicators. The tubes are ofapproximately the same length, with the inner tube being slightly longerto provide a linger-gripping portion 16 in the form ot a raised rib orliange extending just beyond the end of the outer tube. Thefinger-gripping portion also acts as a stop as will be explained below.

The inner tube has one or more longitudinally extending grooves or slotsin its wall. One longitudinally extending slot 18, Whose length isshorter than the over-all length of the inner tube and whose endstherefore terminate inwardly of the ends of the tube, is provided in thewall of the inner tube to co-operate with a radially extendingprotuberance 20 on the inner wall of the outer tube to act as =a meansfor stopping :complete withdrawal of the inner tube from the outer tubeduring retraction. The protuberance 20 fits into and rides in the slot18l in the wall of the inner tube during inward and outward longitudinalmovement of the inner tube in the outer tube. The end 22 of the slot 181adjacent the forward end 214 of the inner tube, i.e., the end whichengages the tampon during ejection of the tampon 26, ds located inwardlyfrom the forward end of the tube a sufficient distance so that when theinner tube is withdrawn rearwardly from the outer tube, the end 22 willengage the front end of the protuberance 20' in abutting relationship,thereby stopping further rearward movement of the inner tube, just afterthe end 24 of the inner tube clears the inner end 28- of the tampon.

The inner and outer tubes, when arranged in assembled prior-to-userelationship, are substantially coextensive, with the tampon-engagingend 24 of the inner tube adjacent the forward end of the outer tube andwith the finger-gripping portion 1-6 of the inner tube extendingslightly beyond the rear end of the outer tube; thus the inner tube iscontained substantially entirely within the outer tube. With the tubesso assembled, the tampon 26 of absorbent, fibrous material is positionedand held within the forward end portion of the inner tube. If the tamponis provided with a withdrawal cord `30, as is customary, the cord mayextend through the opening in the rear of the inner tube and beyond. Theapplicator and tampon so assembled comprise a complete package ready foruse.

To use the applicator as thus described with a tampon contained therein,the inner tube is Ifirst :drawn longitudinally rearwardly 'from withinthe outer tube. Since the tampon is held within the forward end portionof the inner tube, it may tend to move rearwardly simultaneously with.such rearward movement of the inner tube. To prevent the tampon from somoving, the inner surface of the outer tube may be provided with anotherradiallyextending protuberance 32 having an abutting forward surface 34extending at an angle to the inner wall of the outer tube and disposedat a sufficient distance from the forward end of the outer tube so thatit will be at a point just beyond the inner end 28 of the tampon whenthe tampon is positioned within the applicator.

To enable the abutting surface to engage the inner end of the tampon,the inner tube is provided with another longitudinally-extending :grooveor slot 3d in its wall which extends rearwardly from the tampon engagingend 214 of the inner tube for a major portion of its length. Theprotuberan-ce 32 fits into and rides in the slot 36 as the inner tube ismoved. The height of the prot-uberance is sum.- cient to extend through`and beyond the slot in order to` engage the inner end of the tampon,i.e., the height of the protuberan-ce is slightly greater than thethickness of the wall of the inner tube.

Accordingly, as the inner tube is withdrawn rearwardly from the outertube, the inner end 28 of the tampon enga-ges the abutting surface 34 ofthe protuberance 32 on the inner wall of the outer tube, and movement ofthe tampon is stopped. During such rearward movement of the inner tube,the tampon is transferred from its position Within the forward endportion of the inner tube to the forward end portion of the outer tube.

When the tampon engaging end 24 of the inner tube has cleared the innerend 28 of the tampon, the tampon will be wholly transferred from theinner tube to the outer tube. Since the tampon is usually of compressedfibrous material, it will expand to some extent, as illustrated b-y thedirection of the arrows in FIG. 9, to contact the inner surface of theouter tube to fill or parti-ally fill the void between the outer surfaceof the tampon and the inner surface of the outer tube which occurs whenthe forward end portion of the inner tube is withdrawn from thatposition. The inner tube may then be moved longitudinally inwardly intothe outer tube to eject the tampon. In such movement, thetampon-engaging end 24 of the inner tube, which has just cleared theinner end 28 of the tampon during rearward movement of the inner tube,engages the inner end of the tampon. Continued inward movement of theinner tube into the outer tube causes the tampon to be ejected from theforward end portion of the outer tube when the tampon-engaging end ofthe inner tube reaches the end of the outer tube.

While one .longitudinally-extending slot 18 which cooperates with theradially extending protuberanoe 20 on the inner wall of the outer tubete provide a stop to prevent withdrawal of the inner tube from the outertube, and one longitudinally-extendin-g slot 36 in the wall of the innertube which permits the protuberance 32 on the -inner wall of tlre outertube to engage the inner end of the tampon to prevent its withdrawalprovides a satisfactory way of effecting the results desired, it ispreferred that there be -a plurality of each of such slots and each ofsuch protuberances. As illustrated in the drawings, the wall of theinner tube is provided with two diametrically-opposed,longitudinally-extending slots 18, 18 which `co-operate with two`diametri-cally-opposed, radiallyextending protuberances 20, 20 on theinner wall of the outer tube t0 provide the means for stopping completewithdrawal of the inner tube. Similarly, the wall of the inner tube isalso provided with two other diametricallyopposed,longitudinall-y-extending slots 36, 36 extending rearwardly from thetampon-engaging end which cooperates With two diametrically-oppo-sedprotuberances 32, 32 on the inner wall of the outer tube to provide themeans for preventing withdrawal of the tampon during rearward movementof the inner tube in the outer tube. As illustrated, the respectivepairs of slots and inwardlyextending protuberances may be disposedalternately at with respect to each other.

The inwardly extending protuberances 32, 32` which act as stops toprevent withdrawal of the tampon during .retraction of the inner tubemay be relatively small providing they are of suflicient height toextend through the slots 36, 36 and beyond the inside surface of theinner tube. As illustrated, they may be rectangular shaped blocksintegrally molded on the inner wall of the outer tube. They may, `ofcourse, be of other forms.

The other inwardly extending protuberances 20, 20 which ico-operate asstops with grooves 18, 1'8 in the inner tube are preferably wedgeshaped, inclining upwardly 'from the rear end of the outer tube towardsthe end which contains the tampon. This permits the inner and outertubes to be :associated more easily. As the inner tube is moved into theouter tube, the front ends of the inner tube will ride up on theinclined surfaces of the protuberances, causing the ends to converge,and thus enabling .them to clear the protuberances 32, 32. When theforward ends 22 of the slots 118 clear the forward ends of protuberances20, the protuberances will snap into the slots, `and the front ends ofthe inner tube will diverge into Contact with the inner wall of theouter tube. The two tubes are then associated, ready to receive thetampon.

The respective slots in the wall of the inner tube and the respectiveprotuberances on the inner surface of the outer tube also `act yasguides for directing movement of the inner tube in the outer tube duringlongitudinal movement. Such guiding action insures positive ejection ofthe tampon by controlling the direction of the forces applied to thetampon by the inner tube during its inward longitudinal movement.Canting, twisting and similar movements of the inner tube in the outertube during such longitudinal movement, which may cause binding, areprevented.

'I'he inner `and outer tubes are preferably made from `a plasticmaterial, such as polyethylene, which may be readily molded .byconventional techniques. In view of the cost of materials, and in viewof the simplicity of molding the applicator, the applicator of thepresent invention may be economically produced consistent with its useas a disposable item.

It is apparent that numerous variations, modifications, andsubstitutions in the foregoing illustrative embodiment can be madewithout departing from the spirit of` the invention and that suchvariations, modifications and changes are contemplated to be therein.

What is claimed is: ll. A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube and`an inner tube :telescopically positioned substantially withdrawal ofsaid inner tube from said outer tube when said opposite end of saidinner tube has cleared the inner end of a tampon positioned within saidapplicator.

2. A tampon applicator according to claim- 1 wherein saidringer-gripping portion is in the form of a raised surface. f

3. A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube and an inner tubetelescopically positioned substantially within said outer tube andlongitudinally movable therein, said inner tube being slightly longerthan said outer tube, an end of said inner tube extending beyond saidouter tube to provide a iinger-gripping portion, the opposite end ofsaid inner tube being open to receive a tampon, said inner tube having aplurality of longitudinally extending slots in its wall for a portion ofits length, said slots terminating inwardly of the end of said tubeopposite the extending end providing said linger-gripping portion, andmeans on said outer tube co-operating with the terminal portions of saidslots to check Withdrawal of said inner tube from said outer tube whensaid opposite end of said inner tube has cleared the inner end of atampon positioned within said applicator.

4. A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube and an inner tubetelescopically positioned substantially Within said outer tube andlongitudinally movable therein, said inner tube being slightly longerthan said outer tube, an end of said inner tube extending beyond saidouter tube to provide a finger-gripping portion, the opposite end ofsaid inner tube being open to receive a tampon, said inner tube having alongitudinally extending slot in its wall for a portion of its lengthterminating inwardly of the end of said tube opposite the extending endproviding said finger-gripping portion, and an inwardly extendingprotuberance on the inner wall of said outer tube Afitting into saidslot and co-operating with the terminal portion thereof to checkwithdrawal of said inner tube from said outer tube when said oppositeend of said inner tube has cleared the inner end of a tampon positionedwithin said applicator.

5. A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube and an inner tubetelescopically positioned substantially within said outer tube andlongitudinally movable therein, said inner tube being slightly longerthan said outer tube, an end of said inner tube extending beyond saidouter tube to provide a finger-gripping portion, said inner tube havinga iirst and a second longitudinally extending slot in its wall for aportion of its length, said iirst slot terminating inwardly of the endof said tube opposite the extending end providing said iinger-grippingportion, said second slot extending from said opposite en d of saidinner tube towards said Iinger gripping portion, means on said outertube co-operating with the terminal portion of said rst slot to checkwithdrawal of said inner tube from said outer tube when said oppositeend of said inner tube has cleared the inner end of a tampon positionedwithin said applicator, and means on said outer tube extending throughsaid second slot to engage the inner end of said tampon.

6. A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube and an inner tubetelescopically positioned substantially within said outer tube andlongitudinally movable therein, said inner tube being slightly longerthan said outer tube, an end of said inner tube extending beyond saidouter tube to provide a finger-gripping portion, said inner tube havinga first and a second longitudinally extending slot in its Wall for aportion of its length, said iirst slot terminating inwardly of the endof said tube opposite the extending end providing said finger-grippingportion, said second slot extendingfrom said opposite end of said innertube towards said finger-gripping portion, an inwardly extendingprotuberance on the inner wall of said outer tube iitting within saidiirst slot and co-operating with the terminal portion of said slot tocheck withdrawal of said inner tube from said outer tube when saidopposite end of said inner tube has cleared the inner end of atamponpositioned within said applicator, and another inwardly extendingprotuberance on the inner wall of Said outer tube extending through saidsecond -slot to engage the inner end of said tampon. v

7. A tampon applicator according to claim 6 wherein said protuberanceextending through said second slot is in the form of a surface inclinedupwardly from the finger-gripping portion of said inner tube.

8. A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube and an inner tubetelescopically positioned substantially within said outer tube andlongitudinally movable therein, said inner tube being slightly longerthan said outer tube, an end of said inner tube extending'beyondsaidouter tube to provide a finger-gripping portion, said inner tubehaving a plurality of iirst and a plurality of second longitudinallyextending` slots in its wall for a portion of its length, said rst slotsterminating inwardly of the end of said tube opposite the extending endproviding said iingergripping portion, said second slots extending fromsaid opposite end of said inner tube towards said nager-grippingportion, inwardlyextending protuberances on the inner wall of said outertube tting within each of'said irst slots and co-operating with theterminal portions of said slots to check withdrawal of said inner tubefrom said outer tube when said opposite end of said inner tube hascleared the inner end of a tampon positioned within said applicator, andother inwardly-extending protuberances on the inner wall of said outertube extending through said second slots to engage the inner end of saidtampon.

l9. A tampon applicator according to claim 8, wherein said `trst andsaid second slots are disposed alternately with respect to each other.

10. A tampon applicator according to claim 8 wherein said first and saidsecond slots each compose a pair of oppositely disposed slots.

l11. A tampon applicator according to claim 10 wherein said iirst andsaid second slots are disposed alternately with respect to each other.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A TAMPON APPLICATOR COMPRISING AN OUTER TUBE AND AN INNER TUBETELESCOPICALLY POSITIONED SUBSTANTIALLY WITHIN SAID OUTER TUBE ANDLONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE THEREIN, SAID INNER TUBE BEING SLIGHTLY LONGERTHAN SAID OUTER TUBE, AN END OF SAID INNER TUBE EXTENDING BEYOND SAIDOUTER TUBE TO PROVIDE A FINGER-GRIPPING PORTION, THE OPPOSITE END OFSAID INNER TUBE BEING OPEN TO RECEIVE A TAMPON, SAID INNER TUBE HAVING ALONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SLOT IN ITS WALL FOR A PORTION OF ITS LENGTHTERMINATING INWARDLY OF THE END OF SAID TUBE OPPOSITE THE END PROVIDINGSAID FINGERGRIPPING PORTION, AND MEANS ON SAID OUTER TUBE COOPERATINGWITH THE TERMINAL PORTION OF SAID SLOT TO CHECK WITHDRAWAL OF SAID INNERTUBE FROM SAID OUTER TUBE WHEN SAID OPPOSITE END OF SAID INNER TUBE HASCLEARED THE INNER END OF A TAMPON POSITIONED WITHIN SAID APPLICATOR.